Westside Digest

West Hollywood : Council OKs Smoking Ban

Despite minor last-gasp opposition, a restaurant smoking ban will take effect in West Hollywood next month.

The City Council on Tuesday gave final approval to the measure banning smoking in restaurants, except bars and outdoor eating areas.

The law, sponsored by Councilman Paul Koretz, drew protests from city restaurant owners who said it would drive away business and curb their right to let patrons smoke.

Koretz intended the law to be part of a regional ban. The tobacco industry is trying to overturn a new restaurant smoking ban in Los Angeles, while Santa Monica is preparing to take up its own law. One holdout has been Beverly Hills, which assigned the city's Health Commission to study the issue.

A bill to ban restaurant smoking statewide stalled in the Senate last week, leaving the matter in the hands of municipalities. About 80 cities and counties in California have imposed bans on smoking in restaurants and workplaces.